Edexcel GCSE Art and Design (1AD0): complete guide to the objectives, components and skills

Edexcel GCSE Art and Design (specification 1AD0 and the endorsed titles) is a practical course assessed entirely by coursework, with no written exam. All your work is judged against four assessment objectives, and the course runs across two components. This page is the index: below is a map of the titles, the objectives, the components, and how to study each area.

The six titles

Art and Design is offered as six titles that share the same four assessment objectives but focus on different specialist practices.

• Art, Craft and Design (1AD0) - the broad title, combining two-dimensional and three-dimensional practices from at least two of the endorsed areas.
• Fine Art (1FA0) - drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation and lens-based or light-based media.
• Graphic Communication (1GC0) - visual communication, illustration, typography and design for print and screen.
• Textile Design (1TE0) - fabric, fibre, surface decoration and constructed or printed textiles.
• Three-dimensional Design (1TD0) - form in real space, including ceramics, sculpture, product and architectural design.
• Photography (1PY0) - lens-based and light-based media, film, animation and digital imaging.

On ExamExplained we treat the subject under the visual-arts slug and teach the transferable skills and knowledge that apply across every title.

The four assessment objectives

Everything you make is marked against four equally weighted objectives (25 percent each).

• AO1 - Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
• AO2 - Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.
• AO3 - Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
• AO4 - Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

The two components

There is no sit-down exam. Assessment is two coursework components, both internally marked and externally moderated, each worth 72 marks (18 per objective).

• Component 1 - Personal Portfolio (60 percent). A sustained body of coursework, drawn from a substantive project or projects, covering all four objectives.
• Component 2 - Externally Set Assignment (40 percent). A response to a Pearson-set theme, released on 2 January, with a preparatory portfolio and a 10-hour period of sustained focus for the personal response.

How to study Art and Design

Art and Design rewards purposeful research, continuous recording and sustained development.

1. Work against the four objectives at every stage; they are the marking scheme.
2. Build core skills, especially drawing and the formal elements (line, tone, colour, texture, form, shape and pattern).
3. Research analytically, linking every artist and movement to a next step in your own work.
4. Record first-hand and continuously, not in a block at the start.
5. Keep the journey visible in a well-annotated sketchbook a moderator can follow from theme to outcome.

The eight study areas

This subject is organised into eight modules, each with dot-point pages, an overview guide and a quiz.

The four assessment objectives explains AO1 to AO4, how to balance them, and how the mark bands work. Read the overview or take the quiz.

The formal elements covers line, tone, colour, texture, form, shape and pattern, and composition. Read the overview or take the quiz.

Drawing and recording covers observational drawing, tone and mark-making, perspective and proportion, and recording from primary sources. Read the overview or take the quiz.

Working with media and techniques covers painting and colour media, printmaking, three-dimensional work, and photography and lens-based media. Read the overview or take the quiz.

Artist and contextual research covers analysing an artwork, art movements and periods, and using galleries and critical annotation. Read the overview or take the quiz.

Developing and refining ideas covers building a line of enquiry, experimenting and refining media, and developing a final outcome. Read the overview or take the quiz.

The externally set assignment covers the ESA paper and preparatory period, and the 10-hour supervised period. Read the overview or take the quiz.

Building a portfolio covers selecting and presenting work, and the sketchbook and annotation. Read the overview or take the quiz.

For the official specification

Pearson Edexcel publishes the full Art and Design specification (1AD0 and the endorsed titles), assessment guidance and Externally Set Assignment materials at qualifications.pearson.com. Always work from the current specification and the Edexcel-set assignment, because the titles, codes and assessment format are board-specific.